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Pope County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Pope County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Pope County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Courthouse | Pope County Courthouse, 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801 |
| Probate filings go to | Pope County Clerk, 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. Phone: (479) 968-6064. Fax: (479) 967-2291. Email: [email protected]. |
| Mailing | Ask the Pope County Clerk before mailing probate papers. The courthouse address is 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. |
| Hours | Call the Pope County Clerk at (479) 968-6064 for current public hours, lunch closures, and filing cutoffs. |
| Filing fee | $165.00, current as of August 2026, to open a decedent's estate. That is the $150.00 uniform filing fee, reprinted in 2013 Act 282 and current as of August 2026, under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, plus the $15.00 court technology fee, created by 2009 Act 328 and current as of August 2026, under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. A small-estate affidavit is $25.00, current as of August 2026, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00, current as of August 2026, per certified copy. |
| Local forms | The Arkansas Judiciary publishes statewide official probate forms and the probate cover sheet. Pope County does not list a separate county probate packet on its probate page. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Pope County Clerk whether the court will register them for electronic filing, and should be ready to file in person or by mail if directed. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is the free statewide case-information portal. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the Pope County Clerk how the circuit judge handles phone or video participation, and check the Fifth Judicial Circuit administrative plan if a hearing is set. |
| Website | https://www.popecountyar.gov/county-clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before filing in Pope County, make a working list of the decedent's accounts, debts, vehicles, real estate, beneficiary designations, and any original will. Estate settlement moves faster when you know whether the family needs a court-appointed personal representative, a small-estate affidavit under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, or only nonprobate transfers.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, retirement plans, and other property before they choose a filing path. That preparation is especially useful in Pope County because the probate filing counter is the Pope County Clerk, not the Circuit Clerk.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Pope County is filed at the Pope County Courthouse in Russellville, in the probate division of the Pope County Circuit Court. Pope County is part of Arkansas's Fifth Judicial Circuit, but the case is filed at the Pope County courthouse, not in another county in the circuit.
Arkansas venue for probate and administration is governed by A.C.A. § 28-40-102. The usual filing county is where the decedent resided at death; if the decedent did not reside in Arkansas, venue can depend on where Arkansas property is located, where the decedent died, or where a personal representative may maintain a cause of action. The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred under A.C.A. § 28-40-102.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if one exists, a list of heirs and devisees, and a first inventory of assets and debts for estate settlement.
- Check the Arkansas outer filing limit. A will is not admitted and administration is not granted unless application is made within five years after death, subject to statutory exceptions, under A.C.A. § 28-40-103.
- Choose the filing path. If the estate qualifies for an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee, the estate must meet A.C.A. § 28-41-101, including the 45 days after death rule and the $100,000, current as of August 2026, ceiling measured less encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances under A.C.A. § 28-39-101. Otherwise, prepare a full administration petition.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate forms. Common starting forms include the petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative, the petition for appointment of administrator, proof of will, acceptance of appointment, designation of process agent if needed, and the statewide probate cover sheet.
- File with the Pope County Clerk at the Pope County Courthouse in Russellville. Pay $165.00, current as of August 2026, made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, or ask the court about a Rule 72 fee-waiver request if you cannot afford the filing fee.
- Follow notice and hearing instructions. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is on file, and the court may set one in other cases under A.C.A. § 28-40-110. Ask the Pope County Clerk how the judge handles any appearance.
- After appointment, the court appoints the personal representative and the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal under A.C.A. § 28-48-102.
- Publish the notice of appointment and send required copies to heirs, devisees, known creditors, and the Department of Human Services when required. Claims are barred six months from first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, protecting property, addressing claims, paying lawful debts and taxes, and keeping records of all estate settlement activity.
- Close the estate by filing the required accounting, distribution documents, and request for discharge when the court process is complete.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Pope County
Use the Arkansas Judiciary's official probate forms for Pope County filings. The statewide set includes petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance of appointment, designation of process agent, letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventory, accounting, claim forms, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
A probate cover sheet should be included with filings in the probate division. Pope County's probate page does not list a separate county probate packet, so call the Pope County Clerk at (479) 968-6064 before filing if you need a current cover-sheet instruction, copy requirement, or filing-method instruction.
Local nuance
Pope County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means in Pope County |
|---|---|
| Filing counter | Probate filings go to the Pope County Clerk. The Circuit Clerk is a separate office with a separate phone line and does not hold the Pope County probate function described on the county probate page. |
| Same courthouse address | Both clerk offices are at 100 West Main Street in Russellville, so use the office name, not just the building address, when asking where to file. |
| Published hours | Call the Pope County Clerk before visiting because public hours, lunch closures, and filing cutoffs are not listed on the Pope County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, or probate pages. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Legal aid coverage | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the single statewide Legal Services Corporation funded civil legal-aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties on January 1, 2026. Families should use Legal Aid of Arkansas's statewide intake and should not assume estate administration is within its case priorities. |
| Electronic filing | The Arkansas Judiciary eFlex portal at efile.arcourts.gov announced an Electronic Filing Rejection Policy effective December 9, 2025, and announced that subscription-based payments in eFlex end June 5, 2026. |
| Case search | Arkansas is moving public case lookup to Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. Search ARCourts provides statewide circuit-court case information, while document availability depends on the court. |
Scenarios
| Persona | Likely path in Pope County | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and whether any asset actually needs probate. If a filing is needed, it goes to the Pope County Clerk in Russellville. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee may be considered only if A.C.A. § 28-41-101 is met, including the $100,000, current as of August 2026, calculation rules and the statutory allowances under A.C.A. § 28-39-101. | Sunset helps find accounts, insurance, real estate clues, and debts before the spouse decides whether court estate settlement is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate qualifies under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, the affidavit is filed with the Pope County Clerk and certified copies can be used with holders of property. If letters are needed, the child may need a full petition and should ask the clerk how appearances are handled. | Sunset organizes the asset list, generates a probate packet, and can connect the family with an Arkansas probate attorney if a court appointment is needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A small-estate affidavit under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 can include real property if the statutory requirements are met, but real property adds publication and creditor steps. A sale often requires letters testamentary or letters of administration issued under A.C.A. § 28-48-102, so the filing usually starts with the Pope County Clerk. | Sunset helps locate assets and debts, prepare the filing information, and find a local attorney when the sale needs court authority. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Pope County Clerk | Local filing counter for Pope County probate matters, including decedent estate filings and small-estate affidavits under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. Phone: (479) 968-6064. Email: [email protected]. |
| Arkansas Judiciary official probate forms | Statewide probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet used for probate division filings. | https://arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Statewide legal-information site with a small-estate packet that tracks A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case-information search for circuit-court cases. Document availability varies by court. | https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Income-restricted civil legal-aid intake. Ask about eligibility and case priorities, and do not assume estate administration is covered. | 1-800-952-9243. https://arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
A probate attorney is especially useful in Pope County when the will is disputed, heirs disagree, real estate must be sold, creditor claims are expected, a nonresident needs to serve, or the family is unsure whether the Pope County Clerk filing should be a small-estate affidavit under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 or a full administration. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions, insurers, and account providers so families can see what exists before choosing a Pope County estate settlement path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized probate packet using Arkansas probate forms, including the details needed for filing with the Pope County Clerk in Russellville.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs counsel, Sunset can connect you with an Arkansas probate attorney who understands filings in the probate division of the circuit court.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset helps families organize estate settlement, find assets, prepare next steps, and decide when professional help is needed without charging families for the core service.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Pope County, Arkansas?
File probate papers with the Pope County Clerk at the Pope County Courthouse, 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. The case is in the probate division of the Pope County Circuit Court.
Is the Pope County Circuit Clerk the probate filing office?
No. In Pope County, probate filings go to the Pope County Clerk. The Circuit Clerk is a separate office with a different phone number, so ask specifically for the Pope County Clerk when calling about a decedent's estate.
What does it cost to open a probate estate in Pope County?
The filing fee is $165.00, current as of August 2026, made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. A small-estate affidavit costs $25.00, current as of August 2026, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00, current as of August 2026, for each certified copy.
Can I e-file a Pope County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If you are self-represented, ask the Pope County Clerk whether the court will register you for electronic filing, and ask how to file in person or by mail if electronic filing is not used.
Can I look up a Pope County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides free statewide circuit-court case information. Whether filings themselves are viewable online depends on the court and the type of record.
Does Pope County have its own probate forms?
Pope County does not list a separate county probate packet on its probate page. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide official probate forms and probate cover sheet, and call the Pope County Clerk before filing if you need current copy or cover-sheet instructions.
Will there be a hearing in Pope County probate?
A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or if a demand for notice has been filed, and the court may set one in other cases under A.C.A. § 28-40-110. If a hearing is set, ask the Pope County Clerk how the judge handles appearance instructions.
Do I have to travel to Russellville to handle Pope County estate settlement?
You may need to file with or communicate with the Pope County Clerk in Russellville. Before traveling, call (479) 968-6064 to ask about current hours, filing cutoffs, mailing instructions, and how any hearing appearance will be handled.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.